Laurel Park Picks, Entries and Results

Laurel Park Track Details

Address: 198 Laurel Race Track Rd, Laurel, MD 20725

Website: www.laurelpark.com

Meeting:  Laurel Park runs nearly year-round and is the unquestioned focal point of Maryland racing. The track takes brief breaks in May, when Pimlico conducts a short meet, and August, when racing shifts to Timonium. Laurel runs several graded stakes throughout the year, including the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie and Grade 2 General George Handicap in the winter, and the Grade 3 Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup and Grade 3 De Francis Memorial Dash in the fall. The track conducts both dirt and turf racing, the latter of which takes place from April to November.

History:  Laurel Park opened for business on October 2, 1911 under the direction of the Laurel Four County Fair. A few years later, the track was bought by prominent horsemen and successful businessmen Philip J. Dwyer and James Butler, with the legendary Colonel Matt Winn assuming the role of general manager. The Maryland Jockey Club, which owned Pimlico and Timonium at the time, bought Laurel in 1947 in an attempt to move Pimlico’s dates to the track. Though the Maryland General Assembly rejected the proposal, the threat of Pimlico’s dates being subsumed by Laurel remains to this day and is a frequent topic of discussion among the state’s racing industry. The inaugural running of the Washington D.C. International, Laurel’s most famous race, took place in 1952. For many years in the mid-1900’s the track was known as Laurel Race Course, though it reverted back to its original name in 1994. The track is currently owned by The Stronach Group.

Facilities:  Laurel features a recently renovated grandstand that overlooks a one-mile dirt oval and seven-furlong turf course. Admission to the track is free and there are several dining options available.